Devotees throng at Nallur Kovil in Jaffna

Tens of thousands of devotees had gathered in Jaffna to attend the opening ceremony of the Nallur Sri Kandaswami Temple festival, the biggest religious event in the Jaffna peninsula.

Police sources said that nearly a hundred thousand Hindus had attended the festivities and as hotels Jaffna hotels were unable to cope with the influx, warm-hearted residents of Jaffna from all faiths opened their doors to the pilgrims.

The annual Nallur Temple festival, which commenced on August 15, had in particular drawn devotees as far as from United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, India and Australia, most from the Tamil diaspora who were unable to roam freely in the island during the thirty years of bloody civil war.

Hindus pay homage to Lord Murugan by way of offering flowers, burning incenses and coconuts amidst continuous recital of "Haro Haraa".

Nallur festival, lasting for 25 days will conclude with ‘Theertham’ (Water Cutting ceremony) on September 10, followed by the ‘Poonkavanam’ (ceremony of Eternal Bliss) held on the next day. ‘Ther procession’ is to be held on September 9.

- Asian Tribune -